THE BASICS: This nostalgic comedy-drama by A. R. Gurney, a coming of age story, is receiving its local premiere at the Kavinoky Theatre. Peter Palmisano directs a cast of five. FURNITURE plays weekends through February 1st. It’s about 1 ¾ hours in length, and is being played without an intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: FURNITURE takes place, almost entirely, at the Canadian beach house of Russell and Claire, old moneyed Buffalonians in the classic Gurney mold. It’s 1952, and while their little world of privilege remains intact, there are telltale cracks and fissures. Their teenage children, Nick and Peggy, while not openly rebellious, are in push-back mode, and are both dating “unsuitable” types. And now there’s some marital infidelity surfacing, rocking these kids’ formerly safe and sunny world…
THE PLAY, THE PLAYERS AND THE PRODUCTION: FAMILY FURNITURE is prototypical Gurney, with lots of Buffalo references to please the local crowd. This can be a bit off-putting at times. One Canadian reference, to playgoing at the Shaw, is a clear goof; the Shaw was not up and running until 1962 and did not really hit its stride til the mid sixties.
There are interesting familial and intergenerational dynamics in this piece, and is here that director Palmisano really shines. The result is a very watchable, bittersweet tale, full of the pain of growing up. Tom Zindle and Lisa Ludwig play Russell and Claire, patricians trying to be as gracious as they can in a world that is ever less to their liking. Both actors are skilled and engaging, but fail to project that sense of innate superiority that is so key to Gurney’s People. The younger actors–Kathleen Denecke, P. J. Tighe and Genevieve Lerner—who do not have to be true blue bloods, all acquit themselves quite nicely.
David King, who has produced many a lovely set for the Kavinoky, goes bare-bones on this production. I consider this a big mistake. We need to see those old family pieces that Claire discusses; sense their weight and presence. They embody the old genteel traditions that, while tottering, are still in play in this particular family. Little stick figure tables simply do not cut it! Their only advantage is in facilitating a quick transition to a nice father-daughter boating scene. There are a few smart period costumes, and some musical fragments evocative of the period. The many little scenes flow along quite nicely, but there are a lot of them, and I for one would have appreciated an intermission. I get the feeling that the play was written without one. Perhaps Mr. Gurney was even consulted, and did not approve. All water under the dam…
IN SUM: Prototypical Gurney, and his fans won’t want to miss it. The Kav production is right on in terms of tone, but there are some problems, as discussed above, that lessen the overall impact.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!